Mayonnaise popularly acronymed mayo is a very frequently used condiment in a wide range of dishes. From sandwiches to chips, we are pretty sure you have put it in your favorite food. According to statista mayo use is projected to increase to 283.47 million by the end of 2024. With this rampant use, the question of whether it is healthy becomes very crucial. Today we will learn the drawbacks of regular mayo and how organic mayonnaise can be healthier.
The Problems With Mayonnaise
As with any consumable product in this industrial era, adulteration is bound to happen on top of unhealthy processing. Let’s see the common pitfalls of the regular mayo that you consume.
Artificial Additives
Regular mayo has a wide variety of artificial preservatives added to enhance its shelf life. These preservatives, when regularly consumed, accumulate in our system and act as endocrine disruptors which are deleterious to our long-term health.
GMO Ingredients
Many conventional mayonnaise uses genetically modified corn and/or soybean which have raised health as well as environmental concerns. Experts believe GMO foods are not just harmful to the environment but to our health in the long run.
Processed Oils
The choice of oils used in the preparation of mayo is centered around cost optimizations rather than health, thus you get a lot of processed oils such as canola and soybean which are rich in omega-6 fatty acids that when consumed access hamper the omega-3 balance and hence leading to inflammation.
Unsaturated Fats
Traditional mayo is rich in saturated fats that when consumed in excess contribute to elevated cholesterol levels thus leading to cardiovascular ailments. This is directly related to the processed oils discussed earlier.
Environmental Impact
Since it’s a highly demanded product, it often leads to not-so-sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize yield over sustainability and environmental friendliness. From pesticide use to monoculture farming methods, the environmental impact of conventional mayonnaise may extend beyond personal health considerations
In general, though it is a very desirable and lovable product, it has lots of issues that are deleterious, which is concerning especially when consumed so often.
What is Organic Mayonnaise
Organic mayonnaise is prepared from organic raw materials that are free from herbicides, pesticides, and GMOs. This means they involve organic eggs that are pasture-raised. Organic unprocessed oils such as extra virgin olive oil or sunflower oil in place of processed oils. And finally natural preservatives such as organic vinegar.
Benefits
Since organic mayonnaise is free from harmful chemicals and goes through very little processing, they are generally much healthier than regular ones. Unprocessed oils such as extra virgin olive oil used here are high in monosaturated fats which are good for heart health. Additionally, these are also anti-inflammatory. The preservatives used such as organic vinegar are natural and aren’t harmful, unlike their artificial counterparts.
Potential Drawbacks
Organic mayonnaise is much healthier than the regular ones available in the market. However, nothing is a hundred percent good if not consumed wisely. They are rich in calories and can often affect your goals if you are not careful with them.
Another thing to consider would be the cost, as discussed earlier, the issues with regular mayo are because of the cost-effectiveness of preparing it in a certain manner. Organic mayonnaise on the other hand doesn’t go through such measures and is therefore healthy, but can be costly. However, it’s still worth the buck given the long-term benefits of health and the environment.
Conclusion
Thus, organic mayonnaise beats your regular mayo at any time of the day. If you are going to consume something regularly then you better make sure that it is healthy and nutritious. We believe organic mayonnaise can be of great addition to your wardrobe of sustainable and healthy foods, and might even add a new flavour to your dishes.
